Blower Door Test in Valley Forge, PA

Maintain compliance with energy codes and reduce energy loss using expert blower door test in Valley Forge, PA. Our certified technicians assist homeowners, builders, and contractors in detecting hidden air leaks, boosting comfort, and ensuring full compliance with PA energy codes.

What Is A Blower Door Test?

A blower door test checks the number of air changes per hour in your home, ensuring old air is replaced with new, clean air for a healthier environment. If air changes happen too often, it forces your system to reheat or recool the air repeatedly, wasting energy and lowering performance. Excessive air changes can also lead to drafts and discomfort caused by air leaks, along with moisture, condensation, and mold problems inside the home. A blower door test in Valley Forge, PA detects early-stage air leaks, enabling effective energy use and a more durable, comfortable living environment.

888 213-3975

What Our Clients Say

How Is A Blower Door Test Conducted?

During blower door test in Valley Forge, PA, exterior openings are closed securely, and interior doors are left open to maintain even air circulation across the house. A single main exterior door is fitted with an adjustable aluminum frame and attached fabric panel to begin the setup. The technician mounts a calibrated fan to the frame to depressurize the house to 50 Pascals, roughly matching a 20 mph wind effect.

As the fan extracts air, exterior air begins entering the house through any unsealed spaces or cracks. With the help of a nanometer, we determine the pressure difference between the fan’s airflow and the home’s internal conditions. Measurements are expressed as air changes per hour (ACH), showing how effectively the home retains conditioned air in the PA environment.

What Is A Passing Blower Door Test Score?

In Valley Forge, PA, homes generally must comply with the requirements of the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or newer editions enforced by local authorities. Generally, a blower door test result of 3 air changes per hour or less is considered acceptable, ensuring proper energy performance. Achieving compliance in your blower door test in Valley Forge, PA helps improve energy efficiency and meet all local code mandates.

Why Do I Need A Blower Door Test?

The State of PA, along with its municipalities, observes the IECC requirements, mandating blower door test for newly constructed or updated homes. We often collaborate with home builders, contractors, and homeowners who require blower door test in Valley Forge, PA to meet energy efficiency standards and close permits. In some cases, a duct leakage test is needed if ducts or HVAC systems lie outside the home’s thermal envelope. Learn more about energy code compliance.

Using blower door test in Valley Forge, PA, homeowners can detect unwanted airflow. The depressurization process reveals leaks, helping them seal gaps and increase comfort. It only takes a few hours to perform a blower door test, but the long-lasting impact on comfort and efficiency is felt through PA’ hot summers and cool winters.

How To Pass A Blower Door Test:

Anticipate potential air leaks before testing begins.
Select a proper air barrier such as Tyvek or Zip Sheathing and ensure every seam is thoroughly taped for airtight sealing.
Use insulation featuring the proper R-value and verify complete, gap-free coverage across the building envelope.
Seal all penetrations in exterior walls using caulk or spray foam.
Ensure doors and windows are properly installed, caulked, and weather-sealed.
Seal every transition point between conditioned and unconditioned environments, including attics, crawl spaces, and basements.
Many local municipalities issue code compliance checklists — the Philadelphia example is available here.
With caulk, spray foam, and advanced thermal imaging, Local Energy Audits locates and seals leaks efficiently on-site./li>
Typically, over 90% of the time we record a passing score in two hours and handle all permit-related documentation.

Preparing for a Blower Door Test in Valley Forge, PA

Preparation for blower door test in Valley Forge, PA begins with switching off the HVAC system, as well as any bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans. We follow with a quick walkthrough to ensure all exterior doors and windows are fully closed — including those that connect to garages, basements, or any part outside the thermal envelope. After all openings are closed, we choose a central exterior door, install the blower door frame and fan, and depressurize the house to 50 Pascals to gauge airflow. Once the home is depressurized, outside air starts infiltrating more forcefully, making it easier to spot air leaks. A thermal imager helps us identify air leakage points by revealing temperature shifts in walls, ceilings, and surfaces adjoining unconditioned areas. We’re equipped with chalk, spray foam, and weatherstripping materials, so we can partner with homeowners or contractors to repair visible air leakage problems right on-site. After all leaks are sealed, we retest immediately to confirm the desired blower door score has been met and that your home satisfies efficiency requirements in Valley Forge, PA.

Blower Door Test for Contractors in Valley Forge, PA

For contractors overseeing blower door test in Valley Forge, PA, most properly insulated homes can manage small on-site repairs during testing. With readily available sealing materials like chalk and spray foam, we can repair minor leaks or gaps on the spot. In more than 90% of cases, our team secures a passing blower door test score within two hours and provides full documentation to complete the permit without any delay.

888 213-3975

Schedule Your blower door test in Valley Forge, PA

Get reliable, timely, and certified blower door test in Valley Forge, PA from our trained and experienced specialists. Whether you’re a homeowner seeking better efficiency or a contractor finalizing a build, we ensure every test aligns perfectly with energy code standards.

📞 Call 888-213-3975 ✉️ Contact Us